Phoenix Suns Fire Head Coach Alvin Gentry as Team Sits in NBA Western Conference Cellar

Another NBA coach rides off into the sunset, sort of speaking. The Phoenix Suns and head coach Alvin Gentry have parted ways. Gentry is the fourth NBA coach to be fired this season following Mike Brown (Los Angeles Lakers), Avery Johnson (Brooklyn Nets) and Scott Skiles (Milwaukee Bucks).

Gentry's departure is not a big surprise, considering the Suns are currently wallowing in the Western Conference cellar with a 13-28 record. Plus, there have been several stories that seem to imply that Gentry had lost control of his locker room. The Suns' Marcin Gortat recently slammed Gentry in an interview on the website Gothic Ginobili, complaining about the team's offense.

The move was first reported by Jude LaCava of MyFoxPhoenix.com and the Arizona Republic:

Gentry's career as a head coach has not been stellar. His career coaching record is .475 with a 335-370 record in stints with the Miami Heat, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers and now the Phoenix Suns. Ironically, some considered Gentry a Coach of the Year candidate just a few years ago when he led the Suns to a playoff appearance in 2009-2010, where they were eliminated by the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference finals.

Gentry was in the final year of his contract. There is no word on an interim coach, but there are reports that assistant coaches Elston Turner and Lindsey Hunter are the top candidates.